Missile-arming device

ABSTRACT

1. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first drum rotatable with said output shaft and having a pair of recesses, a second drum, a spring-biased pin operable upon its engagement with one of said recesses to release said second drum for rotation, means operable upon its engagement with the other of said recesses to close said first control switch and complete a connection between said command switch and said motor, means coupling said second drum to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, and a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Donald R.Lenton Philadelphia, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 769,043 [22] Filed Oct. 22, 1958 Oct. 19, 1971 The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army [45 Patented [73] Assignee [54] MISSILE-ARMING DEVICE 5 Claims, 18 Drawing Figs.

III-l I I l I I I I I I I RADKL RECEIVER I I I I Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Thomas H. Webb AttorneysS. J. Rotondi, Jr,, A. T. Du Font and H. R. Johns CLAIM: l. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting opera tion of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first drum rotatable with said output shaft and having a pair of recesses, a second drum, a springbiased pin operable upon its engagement with one of said recesses to release said second drum for rotation, means operable upon its engagement with the other of said recesses to close said first control switch and complete a connection between said command switch and said motor, means coupling said second drum to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, and a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch.

PATENTEDnm 19 |97| 3,613,591

SHEET 18F s /72 INVEN'I'OR. DONALD R, LENTON BY j . 5 aawvwzm ATTORNEYS:

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ATTORNEYS PATENTEDBBT 1919?: 3.613.591

SHEET 30F 3 INVENTOR. DONALD R. LENTON ATTORN EYS 1 MISSILE-ARMING DEVICE The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to missle-arming devices, and more especially to an improved missle-arming devicewhich I) is put into a condition to arm the missile at a predetermined time interval after the missile has been fired, (2) functions to arm the missile only in response to a command. signal received from outside the missile, and (3) operates in response to impact of the misile to fire it electrically or by percussion in case the electrical components of the arming device fail to function.

As hereinafter explained in detail, this improved. arming device includes a pair of timing mechanismswhich operate one after the other in response to a predetermined acceleration of the missile and function to prepare the arming device for response to the command signal. This command signal starts rotation of a control rotor arranged to complete such electrical connections and make such mechanicaladjustments as are required to put the missile in a condition to be fired upon contact with the target.

The invention will be better understood fromthe following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope is indicated by the'appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

F IG. 1 shows the anning device with its cover removed,

FIG. 2 shows the device with its cover in place,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an adapter which is connected to the cover of the arming device,

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are different views of a timing mechanism which is set into operation when the missile attains apredetermined acceleration,

FIG. 7 relates to a detail of the accelerometer by which operation of the timing mechanism is initiated,

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the relation between .certain parts involved in the final arming action of the device,

FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuits of the device,

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate details of a rotor whichhas its rotation initiated by the timing mechanism and operates to release a drum which functions in response to a command signal to complete arming of the device,

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show various details of the drum which is rotated to complete the arming action,

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the armed and unarmed positions of a percussion operated firing pin.

As shown by FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the arming device includes a casing 20 on which is threaded a lid 21 having a central opening containing a powder charge 22. This casing encloses the arming device and is attached to an adapter 23 with its lid facing the bottom of the adapter. The adapter 23 contains powder charges 24 and 25 and is secured to the warhead of the missile so that the axis of the adapter is aligned with the axis of the missile and the charge 25 is toward the missiles nose. Under these conditions firing of the charge 22 ignites charges 24 and 25 which ignites the shaped charge of the missile (not shown).

The charge 22 is ignited by means of a mechanism which includes a support block 26 (FIG. 1), an electric motor 27, a percussion-type firing device 28, a timing mechanism 29, and electrical switches 30 and 31. It can be seen that the support block 26 has an opening 32 aligned with the axis of the device.

The various details of the timing mechanism 29 are shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. Thus, when the missiles acceleration attains a value of approximately 8g the resulting setback force moves a weight 33 rearward, such movement being impeded by a spring 34 and applying torque through a spring 35 to the shaft 36 of a gear 37. As a result, this gear is rotated at a speed determined by a gear train 37, 38, 38' and 39, an escape wheel 40 and a pallet 41. The gear 37 meshes with a rack 42 which in the position illustrated by FIG. 4, is interlocked with a pallet 43 of a second timing mechanism and, in the position illustrated by FIG. 6 releases the pallet 43 and is lockedag'ainst further movement by a spring 44. I

The pallet 43 is coupled through an escape wheel 44' 'and gears 45, 46 and 47 to a gear 48. The gear 48 is driven by'a spring 49 to engagement with a stop 51) at a speed determined by the gears and other elements to which it is coupled:

Driven through the shaft 51 of the gear 48 is a 'drum 52 (FIGS. '10, 12 and'l3) which rotates in a bearingfo'rmed between the support 26 and a member 79. The member'79 is 4 fixed to the support 26 by 'bolts and 81. The drum 52 has"-on its outer periphery recesses 53 and 54 (FIG. 12). The recess 54 is arranged to receive a spring biased pin'55 which closes the switch 30 when the pin moves into the recess. The recess 53 receives the spring biased pin or locking means 56 by which the drum 57 is freed for rotation by the motor 27. v

In the standby condition of the device, the d'ruin'52 functions through the pin 56 to lock the drum 57 ag'ainst'rotatio'n; the pin 56 being biased away from the drum 57 by a spring 82. When-the drum is rotated through a predetermined angle, the

spring 82 forces the head of the pin 56 into the recess 53 thereby freeing the drum 57 for rotation by the motor 27 as hereinafter described.

Further rotation of the drum 52 brings the recess54 into alignment with the spring-biased pin'55 which operates the switch 30 to connect the motor 27 to the power source 75 (FIG. 11).

The motor 27 drives the shaft 59 of the drum 57 through gears 60 and 61 which are intercoupled through a spring 62 and pivoted at 63 (FIG. 9). The gear 61 has at one of its sides a smooth surface 83 engaging a spring-biased pin' 84 by which'a switch 31 is operated from one position to another when'the pin disengages from the smooth surface of the gear. The drum 57 also has electrical contacts and 86 through which a connection 73 is changed as hereinafter described.

In the drum 57 are electrically operated primers 64 and, and a percussion primer 66. Rotation of the drum 57'brin'gs the percussion'primer 66 into alignment with a firing pin-68 (See FIGS. 10, 17 and 18), and 'unlocks an inertia firing mechanism 69. Thus in the unarmed position of the drum 57 a lug 70 on the shaft of the drum 57 extends into a slot 71 in the mechanism 69 (See FIGS. 16, 17, and 18). As can be readily seen the member 69 is in the position indicated by FIG.'"17 when the extension 70 is in the slot 71 and is free to assume the position indicated by FIG. 18 when the extension is out of the slot. It is moved from the FIG. 17 position to the FIG. 18 position in response to sudden deceleration of the inissile and in so moving rotates a scar pin 72 by which the spring coc'ked firing pin 68 is released. As indicated in FIGS. 17 and 18 the sear 72 is pivoted in a support 87. The arrangement of the inertia device with respect to the drum 57 is indicated at the bottom of FIG. 10.

Operation of the missile-arming device starts when the missile has attained an acceleration of approximately 83. At this time, the resulting setback force moves the'weight 33 (FIG. 6) rearward and starts operating of the timing mechanism. After a predetermined time interval the gear 48 rotates the shaft 51.

The shaft 51 is coupled to the drum 52 (FIG. 10). Rotation of drum 52 (l) permits the pin 56 to move into the recess 53 so that the drum 57 is free to rotate, and (2) operates through pin 55 (FIG. 12) to close the switch 30. This puts the arming mechanism into a condition such that itmay be armed in response to a signal received by a radio receiver 88, the output of which energizes a coil 89 and closes a switch 58.

Closure of the switch 58 energizes the motor '27 which drives gears 60 and 61 (FIG. 9). The gear 60 operates through the shaft 59 to drive the rotor 57. As the rotor 57 turns it l) moves contacts 85 and 86 (FIGS. 14 and 15) into a position such that the connection 73 (FIG. 11) is transferred to the lead of the nose switch 74, (2) brings the percussion primer 66 into alignment with the firing pin 68 (FIG. 10), and (3) moves the extension 70 (FIGS. 10, 14 and 16) out of the slot -71 (FIG. 17) so that the inertia device 69 is free to move in response to deceleration of the missile. When the gear 61 (FIG. 9) has rotated away from the pin 84, the switch 31 is operated to open the blade 77 and close the blade 76 (FIG. 11). This leaves the detonators 64 and 65 directly connected to one terminal of the nose switch 74 and connected through the source 75 to the other terminal of the nose switch. Further movement of the drum 57 is prevented by the pin 78 which is pressed by a spring into a recess (not shown) in the drum.

With the rotor 57 in its armed position, the missile is fully prepared to explode upon contact with the target which closes switch 74 completing a circuit from the battery 75 to the detonators 64 and 65. Fire from these detonators passes through the fire hole 67 to ignite the powder charges 22, 24 and 25 and to set off the shaped charge of the missile. Should the electric detonators 64 and 65 fail to fire, the inertia mechanism functions to fire the primer 66 and the powder charges as previously indicated.

lclaim:

l. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first drum rotatable with said output shaft and having a pair of recesses, a second drum, a spring biased pin operable upon its engagement with one of said recesses to release said second drum for rotation, means operable upon its engagement with the other of said recesses to close said first control switch and complete a connection between said command switch and said motor, means coupling said second drum to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, and a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch.

27 A missile arming device according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for stopping rotation of said second drum at a predetermined point in its rotational movement.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a pair of gears pivoted on the same shaft and interconnected by a spring.

4. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first drum rotatable with said output shaft and having a pair of recesses, a second drum, a spring biased pin operable upon its engagement with one of said recesses to release said second drum for rotation, means operable upon its engagement with the other of said recesses to close said first control switch and complete a connection between said command switch and said motor, means coupling said second drum to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch, a spring-biased firing pin, a primer rotatable by said second drum into alignment with said firing pin, and inertia means for releasing said firing pin upon a predetermined deceleration of said device.

missile-arming device Including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first member movable by rotation of said shaft, a second member, locking means operable upon a predetermined movement of said first member to release said second member for movement, means operable upon further movement of said first member to close said first control switch and connect said motor to said command switch, means coupling said second member to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, and a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch 

1. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first drum rotatable with said output shaft and having a pair of recesses, a second drum, a spring biased pin operable upon its engagement with one of said recesses to release said second drum for rotation, means operable upon its engagement with the other of said recesses to close saId first control switch and complete a connection between said command switch and said motor, means coupling said second drum to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, and a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch.
 2. A missile arming device according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for stopping rotation of said second drum at a predetermined point in its rotational movement.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a pair of gears pivoted on the same shaft and interconnected by a spring.
 4. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first drum rotatable with said output shaft and having a pair of recesses, a second drum, a spring biased pin operable upon its engagement with one of said recesses to release said second drum for rotation, means operable upon its engagement with the other of said recesses to close said first control switch and complete a connection between said command switch and said motor, means coupling said second drum to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch, a spring-biased firing pin, a primer rotatable by said second drum into alignment with said firing pin, and inertia means for releasing said firing pin upon a predetermined deceleration of said device.
 5. A missile-arming device including a time delay mechanism having an output shaft, means for starting operation of said mechanism upon a predetermined acceleration of said device, a nose switch, first and second control switches, a power source, an electric motor, command switch means operable by a signal from a remote point to close a gap in a lead from said source, a first member movable by rotation of said shaft, a second member, locking means operable upon a predetermined movement of said first member to release said second member for movement, means operable upon further movement of said first member to close said first control switch and connect said motor to said command switch, means coupling said second member to said motor, said coupling means being operable upon a predetermined rotational movement of said motor to operate said second control switch for transferring a connection to said first control switch from said motor to one terminal of said nose switch, and a primer rotatable by said second drum and having one of its terminals connected to said source, said second drum having contacts rotatable to one position for short circuiting said primer and to another position for connecting said primer to the other terminal of said nose switch. 